Starbucks Hit With Pumpkin Latte Shortage

A Starbucks drink waits for a customer to pick it up as barista Josh Barrow prepares another at left, Friday, April 27, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(Newser)
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Sound the alarm: There's a crisis in Starbucks land. Customers nationwide have been devastated by a shortage of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, an autumn-only favorite. "My world almost ended this morning when the local Starbucks told me they were out of Pumpkin Spice Latte," tweeted one fan. Another store visitor says he "just left, depressed." Starbucks has hyped up the drink with campaigns including a Haiku contest, and this year, demand has soared, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Starbucks says there's no overall shortage of the key syrup ingredient, but notes that some stores suffer setbacks because of less frequent deliveries. "In a pumpkin emergency," however, shops can "place an extra order" for the sauce. Meanwhile, baristas are running to neighboring locations to grab supplies, and some are serving an instant version of the stuff. An Austin man managed to sell a $6.95 box of the instant version for $17 on eBay; other customers are hoarding it for themselves. Love for the pumpkin latte is no joke, as proven in one Haiku: "I love pumpkin spice/ Do not even need a cup/ Connect the IV." (Read more lattes stories.)

what a bunch of dumb people we have become paying a very high price for something we dont need to keep us alive! pumpkin spice lattes? drink water and fuck starbucks. i must say they have a very good pr department to have created such a demand for all of their over priced crap! think before you drink!

adventuregirl

Oct 6, 2012 7:31 AM CDT

Go to Dunkin Donuts for your pumpkin fix - it's alot cheaper and probably just as good

SusanSee

Oct 6, 2012 12:43 AM CDT

In today's world everywhere you look it's horrible news, with violence and dishonest people in our governments; liars on both sides who will say ANYTHING to get elected. Who do nothing but accuse each other and we, the people, are left in the middle. Who is looking out for us? Not our elected representatives in Congress, that is certain. Can't we have a small pleasure, like a pumpkin latte: for a few minutes of the day be able to put aside everything and just enjoy? We need this. It's not only our children in the military who are killing themselves in record numbers, it's US. It can give you a few minutes to be able to rethink your depression and gather yourself up to go out and face the turmoil and trouble out there.